CLEVELAND – Michael Bourn wanted to feel wanted. That was his top priority when he embarked on his first experience with free agency last winter after declining a qualifying offer from the Braves.

The Mets fulfilled that requirement. General manager Sandy Alderson’s primary objective during the offseason was to improve his outfield. Bourn, a center fielder, became the Mets’ top target in the free agent market.

“You find out where you’re wanted real quick in that process because if they want you they’ll come get you,” Bourn, now with the Indians, told The Star-Ledger before his club’s 9-4 win over the Mets at Progressive Field Saturday. “It’s as simple as that.”

The Mets came to get him. Alderson and his assistant John Ricco traveled to Houston, Bourn’s hometown, in January to visit the speedy outfielder. They were the only club to meet the 30-year-old in Texas.

The duo gave him the rundown: The organization had a pipeline funneling top pitching talent to the majors. They were poised to make significant improvements in 2014 when some money came off the books. The upcoming season may be disheartening, they told him, but the future is bright. Bourn was impressed.

“I have to give them credit for that,” said Bourn, a two-time All-Star. “We had a great conversation.”

The Mets were willing to offer the four-year contract Bourn and his agent Scott Boras were seeking. But the organization faced a unique obstacle. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, the team that signed Bourn would have surrendered its top draft pick in unless the club had a top-10 selection.

The Mets finished 2012 with the 10th-worst record in baseball, but didn’t own the 10th pick because Pittsburgh’s inability to sign their first-round selection the previous year pushed the Mets down a slot. The Mets would have had to forfeit the draft pick unless they appealed. An unprecedented situation, the appeal process would have taken an unknown period of time.

With spring training looming, Bourn’s patience was wearing thin. He and the Indians agreed to a four-year, $48 million deal with a vesting option for a fifth year February 12.

“The draft pick thing was what was holding them back,” Bourn said. “I would’ve had to wait a little longer and I was already deep into the offseason. So I kind of just had to go with what I had and make a move. But it was pretty close.”

Initially, the development was considered a blow to the Mets. They entered the season with arguably the worst outfield in baseball and without an established leadoff hitter.

But it may turn out be a blessing in disguise. Bourn is having his worst season since 2008. In 112 games, the center fielder has a .263 batting average and .661 OPS.

The Mets are receiving better production from left fielder Eric Young Jr., who has played the role Bourn would have as a speedy leadoff hitter since the Mets traded for him in June.

In 69 games with the Mets, Young has a .264 batting average and .678 OPS. His 28 stolen bases are more than Bourn’s 22 in 43 fewer games.

Young, 28, is making $492,000 this season and is under the Mets’ control until 2017. The Indians are paying Bourn $7 million this season, $13.5 million each of the next two years and $14 million in 2016. If he accumulates 550 plate appearances in 2016, a $12 million vesting option for 2017 would be activated. Bourn will be 34 then.

Without Bourn in the fold, the Mets were forced to promote Juan Lagares in April and have watched him emerge as a legitimate building block.

“Michael Bourn’s a good player -- a very, very good player,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “We wanted him. Unfortunately, we didn’t get him, but Eric Young has stepped up and certainly done what we hoped to have a guy at the top of the order do for you.”

Both players exhibited their unique skill sets as leadoff men Saturday. Young led the game off with a single and chased Indians starter Corey Kluber (8-5, 3.54 ERA) with a walk in the sixth. He then stole second for his 36th swipe of the season.

Bourn sparked the Indians’ five-run first inning against Ohio native Jon Niese (6-7, 3.86 ERA) with a leadoff single. He then stole second and scored on Nick Swisher’s double. Ryan Raburn completed the inning’s outburst with a three-run double. Niese surrendered just one more run over six innings, but the Indians never relinquished the lead.

“I think this year’s good because they’re not in contention, but he’s getting a chance to play,” said Bourn, who spent his first two major league seasons with the Phillies before playing everyday with the Astros. “Next year he’ll be ready to go from the jumpstart because that’s how I was. He’s actually doing a lot better than I did my first year getting to play.”

While Young establishes his major league career, Bourn is with the Indians in the midst of a Wild Card race – the Indians were two games behind the Rays going into the weekend. And he doesn’t hold any regrets.

“There’s no reason to be reflecting back,” Bourn said. “I’m here and I’m here for a reason. I put all that out of my mind. I’m happy where I’m at.”